The cloth sports seats offer plenty of support and there are flashes of leather and brushed aluminium trim throughout, creating an upmarket appearance. A powered tailgate is another plus, especially when approaching the car laden with shopping, and there is an adjustable cargo net inside the boot to store items securely.

The boot has a capacity of 547 litres, increasing to 1746 with the 60:40 split folding rear seats folded flat. And there are a number of good-sized storage compartments throughout.

Powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, the RAV4 boasted good acceleration for a vehicle of its size and can sprint to 62mph from a standing start in 10.5 seconds, with a top speed of 111mph.

The acceleration is nice and smooth through the six-speed manual gearbox and there is ample power on tap at all times.

The car’s visibility is excellent and the controls and dials are ideally placed.

All in all, the RAV4 is a great all-rounder. A gear shift prompter helps to maximise fuel efficiency and the car can achieve a very creditable 57.6mpg on a combined run.

Considering the impressive list of safety features and generous warranty, the price tag is very attractive indeed.